Some changes to the Galaxy Watch 8 seem to have caught some users off guard. For starters, the popular Wireless PowerShare feature, which lets you charge your watch by placing it on the back of a compatible Samsung phone like the S24 Ultra, is no longer supported. This reverse wireless charging option was a handy backup for many users on the go, but it’s gone now, starting from last year’s Watch 7 model.
A Samsung Care Ambassador explained the reason behind this shift in an official community forum. “It’s because of the new sensors which prevent the watch from using WPS,” said GaryB82, adding that the Watch 5 was the last one to include it. These upgraded sensors, meant to improve health tracking like better heart rate monitoring and sleep analysis, have led to a more recessed charging coil. That design tweak makes it impossible for the phone to effectively transfer power to the watch.
One Reddit user tried it out with their S24 Ultra and reported flat-out failure, saying it just didn’t work at all. This isn’t surprising since even last year’s Galaxy Watch 7 didn’t come with the feature, as mentioned above. So it seems Galaxy Watch users who are upgrading from older gen devices are the ones who are being surprised by the missing feature.
On top of that, the Watch 8 isn’t playing nice with older versions of Samsung’s Wireless Charger Trio, a three-in-one pad that charges your phone, earbuds, and watch simultaneously. Users have shared frustrations about the watch not recognizing the charger or failing to charge properly.
A moderator on Samsung’s community forums confirmed this incompatibility stems from updated charging tech in the new watch series.
The problem seems tied to the Watch 8’s redesigned back and band setup, which stops it from lying flat on the charger’s surface. Even removing the bands doesn’t always fix it, with charging starting and stopping erratically, as one owner noted: “Mine will start charging and stop continuously.” So even the older Duo chargers won’t work properly.
On the bright side, Samsung points to newer chargers like the updated Wireless Charger Duo as compatible alternatives, and the included puck-style charger works fine. Feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments section below. Will this impact your buying decision if you haven’t already snagged one up yet?
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Dwayne Cubbins
1207 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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